Apparatus for controlling backwater in sewer lines



March l5, 1960 D. DEL VECCHIO APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING BACKWATER IN SEWER LINES Filed Feb. l2. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 15, 1960 D. DEL vEccHlo APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING BACKWATER IN SEWER LINES Filed Feb. l2, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Q/@e0- @gcc 6k March 15, 1960 D. DEI. vEccHlo APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING BACKWATER IN SEWER LINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. l2, 1958 ll ll Il 4f el 'Uu lu Ima March 15, 1960 D. DEL vEccl-uo APPARATUSFOR CONTROLLING BACKWATER IN SEWER LINES Filed Feb. l2. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. @@wagecct YLausanaY APPARATUS Fon coNrnoLLING BACKWATER IN SEWER LINES i Deno Del Vecchio, Chicago, Ill. Application February 12, 1958, Serial No. 714,779 s claims. (ci. 1an-iis) This invention relates to iiood control apparatus. in particular it has relation to apparatus which is adapted to be inserted inV a brauch sewer line from building premises to the street main'kfor preventing damage to the premises by backwater resulting from a flood condition which overloads the main.

In many communities the rapid increase of buildings for residences vand industrial use has far exceeded the rate contemplated when the sewage system of the community was laid out., As a result the sewage main, lin many locatlities, is operating very nearly at full capacity during normal conditions of rainfall. usual precipitation may overtax the main and water will back up through the branches to flood the premises.

To circumvent such occurrences it has been the practice ofA the owner to break out a section of the vbranch line and to install therein a device which, while allowing or facilitating normal ilow of waste from the premises to the main, functions automatically upon occurrence et backwater, to prevent the same from entering the sani tary system of the premises whereby to cause damage.' y In general, a checlcVV valve responsive to rising level of backwater closes when such level becomes dangerous.

Many of these Vdevices also include an automaticallyoperating pump, operable when the check valve is closed, to receive the building waste and to deliver it to the street side of the apparatus against the prevailing head of bacio water.

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus of the foregoing character.

A principalobject of the invention is to provide, in a flood control device which includes a compartment containing a valve for closing the building side of the sanitary system to backwater, a separate compartment containing a pumpV for receiving waste during closure of the valve and forcing the same into the street side of the sewer system, and venting means in the pump-con- Consequently uny tas Parent t Patented Mar. j.15, 1793640 l 2 t come apparent from the ensuing description which, 2taken with the accompanying drawings, .discloses a preferred form the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing:

IFig. 1 is a top plan view of apparatus in accordance with the invention, with the cover removed; y

Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof taken on the line 2`2 of Fig. l; i i

lFigr.'3 is a cross section taken Von the line 3-3-of Figpl.

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view ,showing thefinlet connection to the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. l;

'-Fig. 6 is a detail of the vent valve between the main valve chamber and the pump chamber; v

Fig. 7 is a detail in section of the pump vdischarge valve; i Fig. 8 is a detail view onthe line 8 8 of Fig. 7; l

Fig. 9 shows an alternativev 'form of main valve-and vent valve arranged for jointmechanical operation;

Fig. 10 is a cross section taken on the line 10`1tl of Fig. 9; i

Fig. 11 is a detail in sidefelevation o f an alternative vent valve capable of joint operation with the alternative main valve of Fig. 9;

Fig. `12, is a top plan view of the detail of [Fig l1; and Y Y Fig. 13 is a cross section Fig.. 12.

Broadly regarded the invention comprises a casing including a top wall, a bottom wall and side Walls to# gether with a transverse partition-therein defining what will be termed a main valve compartment andfa pump compartment within said casing. Thesewage line carrying the waste from the premises entersthe main valve taken on the line l3-13 of compartment for normal delivery of the waste thereinto.

taining compartment capable of venting both compartf therein in order tov avoid unnecessarily frequentipump operations when the backwater condition is not of dangerous extent.

il further object is to provide in a flood control device a swinging, float-operated valve for, closingthe. building side of the'sewer main to influx bf backwater which includesra novel linkage` for obtaining maximum closing force from' the ioat Other. objects andY advantages or' Vthe invention v will be- Duringa flood condition the main valve is closed Vautomatically and the waste is alternatively delivered into the pump Compartment by means 0f a Y-Cannecton where upon thepump thereinris started automatically `to forcibly deliver the waste to the street side of the main valve compartment against the static head Of backwater there.- in. In either event the waste leavesv the apparatus through anotheropening in the main valve compartment. The main valve is preferably arranged .to be float-operated and to closeV when the water in the valve cQmPltiment reaches a predeterminedy levelcorresponding to a daugerous backwater condition. is such as to correspond to normal transmission of waste, through the compartment'the valve is maintained vopen by counterbalance means. The pump contained inthe pump compartment is arranged to be started in response; to apredetermined level of duid therein corresponding to a supply of wasteV tobe'dtzliveredv to the main valve compartment against the head of backwaterv therein. VTo.

this end flow fromy the incoming sewer line is,vas`fs,tated,

diverted to the pump compartment via a Y-branch. A

flap or other suitable valve responsive simply to pressure.l i l dierential is located in the partition separatingV the main. valve compartment from the pump compartment, and ad? jacent the'uppernmargin of the partitionnrin order that;

the air pressure created by rising flood water in the valvecompartment may be relieved to the pump compartment and thence to atmosphere through a vent valve therein...

When flood Water submerges the relief valve located in the partition the same is closed. During normal periods,y

this latter being arrangedu to open and close apport con;

necting the two compartments'. Hwevenjwheng level inthe main valve compartment reaches a pretiettelfr;V mined level this second float is raised ythereby 'closing its port and concurrently opening the atmospheric ven' However,` when thexlevel valve. In Vthis way the vent located in the pump compartment, where it may serve both compartments, is operated by liquid level in the main valve compartment while the mainvalve compartment isisolated from the pump compartment to confine the backwater therein following opening of this ventvalve. In the absence of `iiood Water the ow of waste from the premises `into the apparatus is principally into the main valve compartment. However, if any portion thereof should pass through the side branch of the Y-connection and into the pump com vpartment the same may leave through the said port in the partition which, as stated, is open in the absence of ood water, and the, waste then Vleaves the. apparatus through the sewer outlet from 'the main valve compartment. During prevalence of a flood condition Aall building` waste is delivered to the pump compartment` and from there into the main valve compartment 4against the head of Water therein. Eventually the wasteiscarried to the main upon subsidence of theood condition.

Adverting to the drawings I have shown apparatus in accordance with the invention comprising a casing of sheet steel suitably coated to inhibit'rust. The same includes a rear wall 11, a front wall 12, a side wall 13, a right side wall 14, a left bottom consisting of a por* tion of trough-like configuration and a portion- 16 of 'similar configuration, and a detachable cover 18. This latter may be secured to a flanged margin 21 at the top of the casing by any suitable means, e.g. bolts or screws 22 and a gasket 23 is interposed, all as is common in this art. Y Y A partition 25 divides the casing into a main valve compartment 28 and a pump compartment 29. Desirably the partition 25 is sealed with respect to the cover 18 by a flange 31 thereon functioning similarly to the flanged margin 21. The trough-likecontiguration of the floor portion ofeach compartment facilitates cleaning.

-The wall 11 is provided with a ferrule 41 defining an opening 42 for admitting the building waste to the rear side of the main valve via the incoming sewer line 43.

The joint is suitably caulked. At this juncture it will be apparent that, in the case of an interior installation, the apparatus is received in an excavation below the basement floor and, in the case of an outdoor installation, below the ground. In either4 instance a cover is provided at oor or ground elevation for access to the apparatus. Eluent from the apparatus passes to the street main via a branch line 46 fitted over a ferrule 47 defining an exit opening 48.V i. During normal conditions, i.e.' in the absence of flood water, Waste from the'premises flows in the direction Vof the arrows through the open main valve and the cornpartment 28 to the street main. Upon occurrence of backwater, flow in the line 46 is reversed and the level in the main .valve compartment 28 will rise. In one practical embodiment of the invention a level of approximately 3 inthe compartment will begin` to actuate the main valve now to be described. f

V'iA-valve disc 51 of resilient material, e.g. rubber, is supported on a rigid disc 52 which is, in turn, carried on an arm 53 comprising a pair of identical parallel, spacedapart, formed wire elements. These latter are provided with eyes secured to a shaft 55 pivoted in a pair of end bearings 56 secured to the wall 13 and partition25 respectively. Y Y

' A pair of floats Glare united by a bar 62 which is received in the eyeletted ends of a lever 63 which, like the arm 53, comprises a pair of identical, parallel, spacedapart, formed wire elements pivoted for joint rotationon a shaftf65 carried in a pair of bearings 66 mounted on the wall 13 and partition 2 5 respectively.

A formed Wire link 68 is pivotally connected by`its ends to the lever 63 and arm 53.` Thus, upon upward movement of the floats 61 in response to rising water level, the valve disc 51 is broughtinto obturating relationwith its seat, viz.l theY adjacent perimeter of the ferrule 4l and 4 the valve will remain closed until the water subsides 'to the predetermined level. By such action ood Water is prevented from'- passing into the branch 43 and damage to the premises is thereby avoided. l

Asthe water level rises in the Ycompartment 28 venting of air' therefrom must `be accelerated for otherwise closing of the valve canno't be accomplished at a sutlciently rapid rate and a gush of flood water may enter the premises before the valve may be fully closed. To this end and as part of the means for venting the compartment 28 (Fig. 6) the partition 25 is provided adjacent its upper margin with a port 71, and a flexible diaphragm 72 is positioned thereover and supported by screwsv 73. Diaphragm 721s slightly bowed in the direction of the compartment 28 and some play is allowed between the same and-the screws 73. The tit is of such nature that air may be forced below the diaphragm and through the port 71 but, when covered by water, the port closed by the head thereof. Consequently venting of the main valve compartment 28 to the pump compartment 29 is accomplished rapidly and automatically by extremely simple and reliable means. Aswill subsequently appear, the foregoing venting arrangementissupplemcnted by additional venting means. v y

DuringA a ood condition and notwithstanding closure of the main valve the apparatus functions to receive building waste and to deliver the same against the static head of Vbackwater in the compartment 28 forwardly of the main valve. To this end means are provided to divert ow of waste from the branch line 43 through a branch comprising a T connection 76 and an elbow 77 or any other equivalent Y- connection. Compartment 29 is provided with a ferrule 81 in the wall 11 over which the elbow 77 is tittedand caulked. A strainer or screen 82 confronting the ferrule 81 prevents paper and other ob- 91, preferably of the centrifugal type witha totally en-` closed electric motor, provided with` an inlet port (not sho'wn) adjacent the lower end thereof and arranged to be started and stopped by any suitable switch respon-v sive to water level or head, e.g. a switch operated by a bellows ordaphragm responsive `to water` pressure or b'y a oat responsive to water level. In the example rthe pump is initiated into rotation when the level inthe compartment 29 reaches approximately 6". `The dis-` charge line 92 o'f the pump exits in a sub-'compartment 94 (Fig. 7) including a bottomwall 95.11avinga con-` ventional spud 96 for attachment of the pump discharge, two side walls 97 and a top wall 98. `The remaining side wall is a part of the wall 12 and the entire sub-compartment is secured in a lower corner` of the compartment 29, as sho'wn, inalignment with an opening101 in the partition 25 whereby the sub-compartment` is placed in fluid communication with the compartment 28. `The top wall 98 has an opening 103 providing communication bef tween the 'compartments 28 and 29 via the opening 101.

The exit of the pump discharge 92 into the sub-compartment 94 is -provided with a one-way ap valve 99 (Pigs. 7 and 8) secured to the bo'ttom wall 95 by means of a screw-fastened cleat 100. As long as the pump is not operating the val-ve 99 remains closed whereby to prevent back-flow of waste from the compartment 28 to the compartment 29.

A rod carries, at one end, a oat 106, movable in a vertical path in response to' water level in the compart` ment 28. The rod 105 also carries, by means of nu'ts carried to atmosphere A"in any convenient arrangement., Normally, ie; in the 'absenceo'f baclozvater thebpening' 121 is closed by a exible disc 124 carried on @rigid disc 125 at the distal end of one arm 126 of a bell erank `1'2'7 pivoted at 128'to abracket mounted on 'the wall 14. A link 132 parallel to the other arm 133 of the bell crank 127 is pivoted at one end to abracket mountedonthe wall 14 and has its opposite end pivoted at 1 35 toan end of one 'arm 136 of an operating member 137-. The other arm 139 has its distal end secured to the rod 105. Thus, when the o'at 106 rises, the Vvalve 124 is opened through'the parallelogrammatic linkage constituted by the 'arms 132, 133 and 136, and vice'versa. Y

Ey means of the arrangementv just described* arising' level in the compartment 28 is effective to open `the`vent ilow into the compartment 29 torbe delivered by thev pump 91 through the flap valve 99 to the sub-compare ment 94 against the static head of backwatervv therein Yand thence, via the compartment 28 to the line 46.

Also, by reason of the invention arrangement?, air iriay be vented from the compartment 28 very'r'apidly' as the valve 108 does no't close until after'the vent valve 1,24 has been opened. This result is achieved by" suitably proportioning the members of the linkage connecting the float 166 to the valve disc 124. Following'closure ,of Ithe valve 108 the port 71 continues the venting function from the compartment 28 to' the compartment 29 and `thence through the vent pipe 123.

I have found that one of the most importantrequirements of hood control apparatus of the `class here ,in volved is the attainment of extremely rapid venting which, in turn, allows a correspondingly rapid rise of backwater in the apparatus and consequent rapid closing of a main valve. By providing the comparatively large opening 103 air may leave the compartment 2S at an extremely rapid rate, the "parts being so proportioned and arrangedthat the main valve 51 is closed before or at essentially the same time as the valve 198. Any supplementary venting is accommodated by the port 71. Furthermore by reason of the oat 106 and the components controlled thereby it is possible to provide an air-ventingvalve inv the pump compartment capable of'venting both that compartment and the main valve compartment in response to rising water le'vel in thev latter compartment without the use of a mechanical arrangement receiving its input in the main valve compartment and utilizing its outputf in the pump compartment. Any such arrangement would require a stuing box in the partition between fthe corn'- partments and, since a stuiling box has substantial fric-V tion not only would a oat providing the input have'to be disproportionately large but a substantial time lag would be introduced.

As an alternative feature of construction the ina'in valve and the Vent valve intermediate the main valve compartment and the pump compartmentma'y be ar ranged for joint operation. Thus it is assured that both valves open and closev simultaneously. It -is"`al s`o desirable to arrange the mechanism for effectuating this purpose as a detachable unit in order that feplacenien'tof the same may be accomplished simply by loosening a pair of screws and installing 'an entirely new unit rather" than to effect repairs' piecemealV with consequent additional expenditure of time'. and the possibility of irite'rr; fering with the necessary 'cordination of lthe several' compartment will 'close the valve.

withv the vaws'aise svaria- -tween openfa'nd ciosedpo'sition's about the axis of the Ari Lshaped bracket161 extends from the plate 151 andcarriesv at itsI end a lever 162 which isv U-shaped in cross section to receive the' end of 'thebracket between the legsithereof, fthe' 'pivot being indicated at 164.- A pairfofoats l1651sV carried on the' lever at one `end thereof which 'function inthe same manner as rthe floats 61 hereinbefore described. At its opposite en'd the lever 162 is pivotairy connected at y16610 a link 167' which is, -in turn, pivotally connected at 168 to a rigid arm 1690i the' valve arm 15'8. From the foregoing'it 'will' be' 'iiofed that rising level of water in the main valve To insure positive closure therelationship of 'the pivotal axes 164' and 166 is so 'arranged that when `the valve is closed the axis 166 falls slightly below the'axis 164. VThus theforce maintaining the valve closed is applied at an angle of slightly morethan 9'0" but one not so great as to llock the disc with a fo'rcewhich will resist re-opening thereof.

' Statedl otherwise, a toggle-type of locking action iscxvir erte'dby the buoyant force vof the water and reliable seating of-'the` valve disc is assured. The closed position" is shownvin brokenlines.

The valve 'to provide 'venting of the valve compartment to the pump'compartment is best seen in Figs"l l1 `tol3. Anannular seat 181 is set into-an aperture in the parti- 4tiori 25 and is arangedfto be closed'by a disc'182snpported on*l onearm-of a belll crankv 184 pivoted` at 185 on a" bracket r186'ou't'sitanding from the partition 25. V'lfhe' other arm 189 ofthe rank 184 is pivoted to a link 1 92 which is connected at its lower endto aA crank arm 194 keyedY to the shaft 156. Accordingly, itV will be evident that closing movement of'- the main valve iseffective' l to close the vent vlvecomprising the disc 182 and lseat 181.

A s con'cerns its basic function the vent valve as'ust described is similar to the vent valve 72.

yWhile I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention,l it'will'be understood, of course, that I do adapted to be interposed in al branch line from building premises tol a street' main comprising: a casing having a bottornjwa'll, a' top wall, side walls and a transverse partition defining a main valvecompartment and a pump4 compartment, means providing an inlet for effluent from that portion` o f the branch line between the premises and the apparatus to the main valv e` 'cmpartment, 'means providing' an outlet for eluent from the main rvalve' compartiment to the zstreet main, amain valve in saidV mam valve compartment intermediate said inlet means` and outlet means for. isolating'said inlet means from,

said y,c nitlet means, first float means for closing ahdfopenvalve in responseto rising Y 2 1nd falli n g level of backwater in said mainl valve compartmentY respectively, passagemeans interconnectedwith said branch line poralfterhte rflo Vof said ehluent thereinto when saidl valve RharngmntakePrt and a* disharse port, said pump beinglocated in said pump'compartmet ing annyinlety'to lsaidpump (compartrneut forV mazen-rm having its intake port therein, means responsive'to rising and falling head of water in said pump compartment for.

starting and stoppingsaid pump respectively; ansubcompartment adjacentj said transverse partition and ad` jacent said bottom wall having a pair of opposed side walls, a single side wall joining said opposed sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom wall, said subfcornpartment walls being joined to said transverse'partition, the sideof 4saidV sub-compartment opposite Vsaid single side `wall being constituted as an opening in said transverse partition intermediate said main valve and inlet means, the top and bottom sub-compartment walls each havingan openoat means, a vent line to atmosphere having one endY in communication with said pumpv compartmena vent` valve at said one end for opening and closing saidsvent line, an operative connection between said second iloatY means and vent valve for opening and closing said ventr valve in response to liquid level in the sub-compartment and concurrently moving said closure for opening "and closing said top wall opening.

2. Apparatus for controlling backwater in sewer., linesV adapted to be interposed in a branch line fromV building premises toa street main comprising: -a'casing having a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls andpartitionmeans' between said top and bottom walls defining firstand ,sec ond compartments in said casing, inlet means to saidgiirst` compartment to pass waste from the premises into said.

first compartment,outlet means from said first'compartment to pass waste therefrom to the street main, a main.

valve in said first compartment intermediate said inlet and outlet meansfor isolating thejsarne -from eachiother, means operatively associated with said main valve responsive to rising and falling level of backwater-in said rst compartment for respectively. closing vandfopening said main valve, passage means between said inlet'means and vsecond compartment Vfor dalternate flow of wastef into said second compartment when siaidinletmean'sis isolated from said'outlet means by closure of said valve, apump in saidsecond compartment .having an intake port adjacent said bottom wall andr a. discharge port in communication with said first compartment between said valve andv outlet means for deliveryof said alternaterow of waste by said pump to the street main'against head of backwater, means responsive t'o rising and falling water level in said second compartment for startingand stopping said pump, a venting passage to atmospherein said second compartment, valvemeans for opening andclosing said passage, an aperture in said partition 4means adjacent said bottom wall and between 's'aid'outlet means and main valve providing communication between said compartments, means responsive to rising and falling level of backwater for closing and opening Isaid aperture Vto vent said first compartment to said second compartment, said aperture closing-and-openingvmeans being arranged to vent air from said first compartment substantially concurrently with actuation of said main valve to closed position and to terminate venting when said main kvalve is closed, an operative connection between said passage valve means and aperture closing-and-opening means to move said passage valve means between closed and open positions concurrently with movement of said aperture closing-and-opening means between open andclosed posi- 3.A Apparatus in accordance with claim'2 wherein said valve closing-and-opening means and said aperturev clos-V ig-and-opening means are floats, the'aperture float being'lower than the valve fioat at their respective'lowe'stv positions Vwhereby movement o'f the aperture closingand-opening means to closing position is initiated prior to'movementaof the valve t`o closing position and full closure-of both occurs substantially simultaneously.

4. Apparatusin-accordancewith claim 2 further characterized by a second aperturerin said partition means Aadjacent saidA top wall providing communication between said compartments and closure means operatively associated with said second aperture for venting of air therethrough and for obturating the same upon subjection of said means to head of water.

5. Apparatus in `accordance with claim 4 wherein said second aperture is positioned in said partition means between said inlet means and main valve, and said second aperture closure means is located in said first compartment, Y

6. 'Apparatus for controlling backwater in sewer lines i adapted to be interposed in a branch line from building premises to a street main comprising: a casing having a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls and vertical partition means between said top and bottom` walls defining rst and second compartments in said casing, inlet means to said first compartment to pass waste from the premises into said rst compartment, outlet means from said first compartment to pass waste therefrom to the street main, a main valve in said firstcompartment intermediate said inlet vand outlet means for isolating the same from each other, means operatively associated with s aid main valve` responsive to rising and falling level of backwater in said first compartment forrespectively closing and opening said main valve, passage means betweensaid inlet `means and second compartment for alternate iiow of waste into said second compartment when said inlet means is isolated from said outlet means by closure of saidmain valve, a pump in said second compartment having an intake port adjacent said bottom wall and a discharge port in communication with said first compartment between said main valve `and outlet means for delivery of said alternate fiow of wa`ste by said pump to the street main against head of backwater, means responsive to rising andfalling water level in said second compartment for startingand stopping said pump, .air venting means to atmosphere in said second compartment, an aperture in said -partition means adjacent said bottom wall, wall portions defining a subcompartment surrounding said'aperture having a port in one wall portion'for flow from said first compartment through said aperture and into said second'compartment, valve means for said port, and second float means responsive to rising and falling level of backwater in said first compartment operatively connected `to said portvalve means for respectively closing and `opening said port.

7. YApparatus in accordance with claim 6 further char-` acterized by means operatively connecting said second float means to said air venting means for opening said "v ent valve means concurrently with closing `action of chambers each having substantially co-planar bottom wall portions and common wall means, inlet means for said first chamber for admitting waste from the premises thereto, outlet means for saidrrst chamber for discharge` of said waste therefrom to the street main, main valve means'in said first chamber adapted to isolate said inlet and said outlet means from each other, means responsive to rising vand falling level of backwater for respectively closing and opening said main valve means, a fluidjcon- `duit between said inlet means Vand second chamber for` f alternate fiow'of `waste into'the latter when .said main` valve meansA is closed, `a pump in said second chamber having an intake port thereinY tojreceive said alternate flow and a discharge port connected to said first chamber between saidmain valvemeans and outletmeans, an

opening in said common wall means adjacent the bottom wall of said rst chamber and between' said main valve means and outlet means for flow of displaced air from said rst chamber to said second chamber, a vent valve in said second chamber for venting air from both chambers, and means responsive to rising and falling level of backwater in said rst chamber for respectively closing and opening the said opening in said common wall means.

356,448 Clark Ian. 25, 1887 Voltz Dec. 17, 1889 Felton Nov. 2. 1915 Kirchhan et al. Dec. 28, 1926 Wagner .L Oct. 22, 1929 McAlear May 5, 1931 Carson Aug. 11, 1942 Soa Mar. 27, 1956 Steinberg July 22, 1958 

